Did you know that in some cultures a woman gets a massage for the first 40 days after delivery?
Sounds amazing, right?
Let’s take a look at the benefits of massage postpartum.
True!
Immediately after delivery your estrogen and progesterone levels plummet and your oxytocin and prolactin increase. This can create havoc! Massage can improve hormone balance! It can also increase oxytocin. This “love hormone” supports feelings of attachment and helps with relaxation and feeling good.
Decreased Stress
True! Massage therapy can help decrease your stress! It helps with relaxation and relief of muscle tightness and improved circulation. Also, studies have shown that the stress hormone, cortisol, decreases after massage.
Pain relief
Massage therapy has been shown to be helpful in pain relief. What better time to get a massage then after the “labor” of delivery! Get relief from the residual aches of pregnancy and or the back, arm, shoulder pain added by breastfeeding and childcare. If you had a C-section, speak to your healthcare provider to see when it is safe to start.
Improved Sleep
Yes you will feel exhausted after your delivery and the sleepless nights!
Studies have shown that delta waves increase with massage therapy. Delta waves mean deep sleep! Postpartum massage can help to relax you so you can sleep when you have a chance to sleep and allow for better quality sleep!
Reduced anxiety and depression
Dopamine and serotonin are both neurotransmitters that help with emotional wellbeing.
Although there have not been any studies postpartum, a study in pregnancy showed that massage in pregnancy increased levels and dopamine and serotonin and women reported less feelings of depression and anxiety.
So getting a massage not only helps to decrease stress and improve sleep that may contribute to postpartum depression or anxiety but can also help increase these “ feel good” neurotransmitters!
Improved Breastfeeding
Massage therapy can improve breastfeeding by not only improving circulation and relaxing the muscles in your chest, shoulder and body but also by increasing hormones important to breastfeeding.
Studies show that massage increases prolactin levels, hormone that helps increase milk production and oxytocin, hormone which helps milk let down.
Decreased Swelling
During pregnancy your body had increased the amount of fluids. After delivery your body shifts to removing this extra fluid and you will find yourself with swelling.
Massage will increase circulation and drainage of this excess fluid.
There is no specific time you have to wait after an uncomplicated vaginal birth.
You can start as soon as you feel comfortable! In fact, a study showed that moms who got a back massage in the hospital one day after delivery reported less anxiety.
There are ways to position yourself comfortably if your abdomen or breasts are sore. If you have any medical complications or had a c-section always consult with your healthcare provider.
How often and how long?
That’s up to you! Yes it would be nice to have one everyday! Don’t have the extra cash, get your partner to give a massage! Some health insurance plans may cover therapeutic massages.
Postpartum massage is more than just for pampering (although that is a great reason too!).
There are so many benefits for a postpartum massage! Massage can improve your post-delivery recovery and physical and mental wellness.
Consult with a healthcare provider if you have had any complications or have concerns before beginning. As always, MaternalWell text support is available for any questions.
